I have been so engaged these two Days as not to ^have^ had Time to write reply fully to yours of the 19th. Ult.1 and ^but^ tho it is now late I must not let the Post depart without a few Lines for you.

circumstanced as it seems we are, we can nothing more can be expected from us by our Country than our best Endeavours, and if they fail of Success, the Disappointment is ^will be^ imputable only to those from whose immature Counsels have produced the Embarrasments under which we labor— The Evils which must follow are nevertheless to be lamented and the more so at this Season when they will ^would^ create ^form^ a black Cloud ^and inauspicious Cloud^ in the present bright Pros Aspect of our Affairs—

I flattered myself that the Loan in Holland would have afforded Funds for all our Bills & present Demands, and am sorry to ^hear^ that this is not the Case. Could not that Loan be extended to a further Sum?

The Conduct of this Court bears few Marks of Wisdom. The Fact is they have little Money, less Credit, and very moderate Talents.2

My Ideas correspond exactly with yours respecting the propriety of presenting such a Memoir as you propose— The Embassador of France ^however^ is decided in his opinion3 against it, and it appears to me imprudent to disregard his opposition.4

I agree to the Rule for ^our^ Charges specified in your Letter to Mr. Adams of the 11 June last and his Answer of the 4th. Octr. following.

There is a half ^a^ Years Salary due to Mr Carmichael & myself I shall agreable to your Permission draw for a Quarter’s ^[in margin] deducting the money advanced to Maj Franks on my acct^

I have recd. the Dispatches from Gen. Washington which you was so obliging as to forward— I am much mistaken if the Young Hercules remains satisfied with the ne plus ultra of the old ^does not one Day shake the pillars of the old^.

Mr. Laurens Enlargement will not in my opinion be unconsequential— I am told he behaved with Firmness & came into no Conditions repugnant to the Honor & Independence of the United States.

Be so kind as to send me Copys of Mr Deanes Letters— I am surprized to hear that their ^its^ Contents are so exceptionable, and can no otherwise account for it than by supposing that the Mortifications he has experienced have poisoned his Heart & turned his Brain ^had an unhappy Influence on his both on his Heart ^^as well as^^ his Head.^ I confess I had a better opinion of ^them^ both. Perhaps too he Mr Silas Deane Esqr The Honble Silas Deane Esqr ^one of the^ Commissioners of the United States of America &c. &c. &c. met with a very different Reception in France from that which Mr. Silas Deane of the State of Connecticut Gentleman, afterwards experienced.

Britain it seems is determined in her offer to keep one step behind our Deman tho for some Years constantly advancing towards our Demands has seems still to want the Wisdom & Decision to overtake them by one large & manly Step. I shd. be ashamed of the Count^r^y I now glory in, if she could for a moment forget her Obligations to France for while France treats us fair & Friendly we should prefer Destruction to in abiding by our Engagements, ^Treaty^ rather than Purchase ^to^ ignominous Peace & Safe^ty^ ^purchased^ by basely deserting [that?] ^our^ first and as yet faithful Ally—

I have not as yet recd. a single Letter from or by the Marquis De La Fayette—5

Mrs. Jay joins with Me in assuring you and your Grandson of our best Wishes— I am Dear Sir your obliged & obt Servt.